The battle for the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Imo West has triggered a heated exchange on social media between supporters of Governor Hope Uzodimma and former Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The disagreement followed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, which reportedly nullified Uzodimma’s candidature and recognised Okorocha as the winner of the party’s May 18 senatorial primary.
While supporters of the governor criticised the judgment and questioned its implications, members of Okorocha’s camp welcomed the decision, describing it as a recognition of the former governor’s position in the party.
Speaking with The Punch on Saturday, Uzodimma’s Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, called for a review of the judgment.
A supporter of the governor, Ndubuisi Ifedoro, also warned that the APC could face opposition from some of Uzodimma’s supporters if Okorocha emerged as the party’s candidate.
Ifedoro said he would rather abstain from voting than support the former governor.
“We don’t reward failure! He does not deserve my vote,” he said.
He maintained that if Uzodimma was not on the ballot, his support would go to any candidate willing to address the needs of the people.
“Our votes must be earned, not demanded,” he added.
Similarly, the Forum of Senior Special Advisers to Local Government Areas, through its spokesperson, Unegbu Onyedikachi, called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the judgment.
Onyedikachi based his demand on comments he attributed to Okorocha during a television interview, alleging that the former governor suggested that powerful forces were behind his court victory.
He also called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
However, supporters of Okorocha defended the court’s decision.
One of them, Pascal Oguguo, described the ruling as recognition of the former governor’s contributions and loyalty to the APC and President Bola Tinubu.
He argued that Okorocha took significant political risks as an Igbo politician while working to establish the APC’s presence in the South-East.
A former student union leader at Imo State University, Ezinne Precious, also backed Okorocha’s claim to the ticket, arguing that his past efforts in building the party should be recognised.
“I strongly believe that people who made sacrifices and took political risks when the journey was uncertain should not be forgotten when opportunities and rewards come,” she said.
She further argued that since Okorocha participated in and reportedly won the primary, the dispute raised important questions about internal democracy and respect for electoral outcomes within the party.
“This makes the question of internal democracy, fairness and respect for the outcome of the primary particularly important,” she added.
The disagreement highlights the divisions among APC loyalists in Imo West following the court ruling, with supporters of both political camps expressing opposing positions on who should represent the party in the senatorial contest.
